There’s something truly magical about whipping up a batch of Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe during the holiday season. It’s that perfect mix of sweet, salty, and crunchy that makes everyone’s eyes light up, and it’s insanely easy to make. I love how it brings a festive vibe to any gathering, whether it’s a holiday party, family movie night, or just a cozy afternoon snack.

What makes this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe worth trying is how versatile and fun it is. With bursts of chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels, and those colorful red and green M&Ms, it feels like Christmas itself in a bowl. Plus, it’s a recipe you can throw together in no time, and the kids will adore helping out — trust me, it’s an instant win for the holidays!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients here are simple crowd-pleasers that work beautifully together. You’ll want to aim for quality peanut butter and chocolate chips because that really makes this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe shine.

Semisweet or dark chocolate chips: Choose good quality for the best melt and flavor.
Creamy peanut butter: Smooth works best to coat everything evenly.
Rice Chex Cereal: The crunchy base that soaks up all the chocolate-peanut butter goodness.
Mini pretzels: Broken into pieces, they add a salty crunch that balances the sweetness.
Powdered sugar: This is what makes the “food” dusted and festive looking.
Red and green M&Ms: I adore these for the Christmas color pop and extra chocolate hit.
Mini peanut butter cups: For that extra peanut butter punch and soft texture contrast.

Variations

I’m always tweaking this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe depending on the crowd or what I have on hand. Feel free to swap or add your favorite mix-ins and create your own festive twist.

Variation: Sometimes I swap out the mini pretzels for roasted nuts for an extra crunch and nutty flavor – it’s just as addictive!
Dairy-free option: Use dairy-free chocolate chips and peanut butter alternatives to make this treat allergy-friendly.
Chocolate swap: Try white chocolate chips mixed with red and green candy-coated chocolates for a sweeter, lighter version.

How to Make Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe

Step 1: Melt the chocolate and peanut butter

Start by melting your chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter together gently, either in the microwave in 30-second bursts stirring in between or in a double boiler on the stove. You want it smooth and shiny, not overheated or grainy, which can happen if you rush this step. A cozy kitchen smell will fill the air — that’s the holiday spirit kicking in early!

Step 2: Mix the cereal and pretzels

While your chocolate-peanut butter mixture cools just a bit, toss the Rice Chex cereal and broken mini pretzels into a large bowl. Mixing these dry ingredients first ensures everything is evenly coated later.

Step 3: Combine and coat

Pour your warm melted mixture over the cereal and pretzels, then use a spatula to fold everything together gently. The goal here is to coat every piece without crushing your cereal. Patience pays off! Once it’s evenly coated, sprinkle your powdered sugar over the mixture and toss it to coat. You might want to do this in batches to avoid clumping.

Step 4: Add the festive extras

Finally, fold in those merry red and green M&Ms and mini peanut butter cups. This is the fun part where the “Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe” really gets its personality and Christmas charm. Let it cool completely before serving so everything sets perfectly.

How to Serve Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe

A large white bowl filled with a mixture of light brown cereal pieces covered in white powdered sugar as the base layer, scattered with small red and green candy-coated chocolates and small chocolate cup candies spread evenly on top, creating bright spots of color contrasting with the powdery cereal. Around the bowl, some small pretzels and more red and green candies are scattered on a white marbled surface, enhancing the festive look. A pinkish textured cloth is partially visible behind the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little extra powdered sugar on top right before serving to make it look snow-dusted and festive. Sometimes I toss in a few candy canes broken into pieces for crunch and extra peppermint magic that complements the chocolate really well.

Side Dishes

This treat pairs beautifully with a warm cup of cocoa or mulled cider. It’s also a sweet addition alongside holiday cookies or as part of a festive snack board with nuts, dried fruit, and cheese.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I scooped this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe into mini decorative treat bags and tied them with holiday ribbons — perfect for gifting or as festive party favors. Another idea is layering it in clear jars with some gingerbread cookies for a lovely holiday gift set.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. It keeps the mix crunchy and fresh for up to a week — great for snacking throughout the holidays without a fuss.

Freezing

I’ve actually frozen this Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe once before in a sealed freezer bag. When thawed, it’s best to enjoy within a few days as the pretzels soften a bit, but it still tastes great in a pinch.

Reheating

This recipe doesn’t really need reheating, but I like to bring it to room temperature after freezing so the chocolate flavors can shine. If you want warm chocolate notes, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave and a gentle stir works wonders.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy in this recipe?

Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will give your Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe extra texture, which some people love. Just be mindful that it might make coating the cereal a tiny bit trickier, so stir a bit more carefully to avoid breaking the cereal.
Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe?

Yes! Just swap the Rice Chex cereal for a certified gluten-free version and make sure your pretzels are gluten-free too. All other ingredients like chocolate chips, peanut butter, and powdered sugar are naturally gluten-free, so you’re good to go!
How long does the Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it stays fresh and crunchy for about a week. Just be sure to keep it out of humid areas to avoid sogginess.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time for a holiday party?

Definitely! This recipe is great for making a day or two ahead. Just store it in an airtight container and mix in any M&Ms or peanut butter cups just before serving to keep them from getting crushed.

Final Thoughts

This Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday staples because it’s so simple yet packs a festive punch. Every year, it brings back memories of cozy nights with family, laughter, and that unmistakable scent of melted chocolate and peanut butter warming the kitchen. I wholeheartedly recommend you try it this season — I’m sure it’ll become a beloved treat in your holiday rotation, just like it did in mine.

Reindeer Food Recipe (Christmas Puppy Chow) Recipe

★★★★★ 4.7 from 99 reviews

Author: Touba
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: About 10 servings 1x
Category: Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

A festive and indulgent holiday snack mix known as Reindeer Food or Christmas Puppy Chow, combining chocolate, peanut butter, crunchy pretzels, and colorful candies coated in powdered sugar for a perfect treat during the Christmas season.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Mixture

1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips
1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter

Mix-Ins

5 cups Rice Chex Cereal
1 ½ cups mini pretzels broken into pieces
1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms
1 cup mini peanut butter cups

Coating

2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semisweet or dark chocolate chips with creamy peanut butter. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until completely melted and smooth.
Combine with Cereal and Pretzels: Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the Rice Chex cereal and broken mini pretzels in a large mixing bowl. Toss gently until all pieces are fully coated.
Coat with Powdered Sugar: Transfer the coated cereal mix into a large resealable plastic bag. Add the powdered sugar, seal the bag tightly, and shake vigorously until every piece is well coated with powdered sugar.
Add Candy Mix-Ins: Open the bag and fold in the red and green M&Ms and mini peanut butter cups gently to avoid breaking them.
Serve or Store: Spread the mixture out on a parchment-lined baking sheet to let it set slightly before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Notes

Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth coating. Avoid natural peanut butter as it may separate.
For an extra festive touch, you can add holiday sprinkles before coating with powdered sugar.
This snack is best enjoyed within a week to maintain freshness and crunch.
Feel free to substitute M&Ms with other small candies if desired.
Always break the pretzels into bite-size pieces for easier eating.

Keywords: Reindeer Food, Christmas Puppy Chow, holiday snack mix, peanut butter chocolate snack, festive munchies, holiday treats